Wound care suspension system

Abstract

A suspension system for the care and prevention of wounds on the body of a user includes an array of removable suspension devices forming a flexible sheet. Each suspension device is removably coupled to at least one other suspension device. The suspension devices are selectably removable from the array in order to define a space within the sheet which approximates the size of a target area on the body of the user. A disposable garment for the body of a user includes an absorbent portion and a wound care and prevention suspension portion. The absorbent portion has a fluid pervious inner sheet, a fluid impervious outer sheet and at least one layer of absorbent material disposed between the inner and outer sheets. The wound care and prevention suspension portion is coupled to the absorbent portion. The application of a suspension system for the care and prevention of wounds to the body of a user including identifying a target area on the body of the user, obtaining a sheet formed of removable suspension devices, selectably removing at least one suspension device from the sheet to define a space which approximates the target area, and securing the sheet to the body of the user such that the sheet supports the target area without contacting the target area.

1. A support device for the care and prevention of wounds on a target area of the body of a user, comprising:
 means for reducing pressure friction and shear that can irritate or cause ulcers resulting from prolonged contact between the target area of the body of the user and a chafing surface,  
 said means for reducing pressure, friction and shear having an array of removable cells forming a flexible sheet for supporting an area of the body of the user, each cell removably coupled to at least one other cell, at least one of the cells being a cell that is selectably removable from the array in order to define a space in the sheet which approximates the size of the target area on the body of the user, and  
 said means for reducing pressure, friction and shear encloses the target area, whereby, the support device forms a peripheral support enclosure about a target area.  
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  wherein each cell has a border and is removably connected to at least one other cell along a portion of the border. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1  wherein the cells are suspension devices. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1  wherein the removable cells have opposing first and second surfaces and the first surface of each cell is configured for contacting the user. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4  further comprising a backing coupled to the second surface of the removable cells. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 4 , wherein the space within the sheet is defined by and extends from the first surface through the sheet to the second surface. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the backing includes perforations positioned substantially along a border of each cell. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the second surface comprises one of a hook material and a loop material and the backing comprises the other of the hook material and the loop material. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 5 , wherein each cell is removably connected to the backing. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the backing is attached to the sheet such that when at least one cell is removed from the sheet, a portion of the backing in contact with the cell is removed from the backing creating an opening in the backing which next to the space within the sheet. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cells are gas-filled bubbles. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a pricking device for selectably deflating at least one of the bubbles. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of each cell is made of a breathable material. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a dye configured for marking an approximate outline of the target area onto the first surface of the array of removable cells. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the removable cells are stanchions made of a cushionable material. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the array of cells is configured to support the target area of the user's body without contacting the target area. 
     
     
       17. A support device for the care and prevention of wounds on a target area of the body of a user, comprising:
 means for reducing pressure, friction and shear that can irritate or cause ulcers resulting from prolonged contact between the target area of the body of the user and a chafing surface,  
 said means for reducing pressure, friction and shear having an array of removable cells forming a flexible sheet for supporting an area of the body of the user adjacent the target area, each cell removably coupled to at least one other cell, the cells being selectably removable from the array in order to define a space in the sheet which approximates the size of the target area on the body of the user,  
 said space having one of a flexible cover and of being free of a cover.  
 
     
     
       18. The support device of  claim 17 , wherein each cell has a border and is removably connected to the at least one other cell along a portion of the border, said portion of the border having means for separating to allow at least one selected cell to be separated from the at least one other cell by hand and removed from the sheet by the user independent of a tool. 
     
     
       19. A support device for the care and prevention of wounds on a target area of the body of a user, comprising:
 means for supporting the target area above the bed in which the user is confined to reduce pressure, friction and shear that can irritate or cause ulcers resulting from prolonged contact between the target area of the body of the user and a chafing surface,  
 said means for supporting having an array of removable cells forming a flexible sheet for supporting an area of the body of the user proximate the target area, each cell removably coupled to at least one other cell, each cell has a border and is removably connected to the at least one other cell along a portion of the border, said portion of the border having means for separating to allow at least one selected cell to be separated from the at least one other cell by hand and removed from the sheet by the user independent of a tool in order to define a space in the sheet which approximates the size of the target area,  
 said space having one of a flexible cover and of being free of a cover.  
 
     
     
       20. The support device of  claim 19 , further comprising means for ventilating the area of the body of the user proximate the target area. 
     
     
       21. A support device for the care and prevention of wounds on a target area of the body of a user confined to a bed, comprising:
 means for reducing pressure, friction and shear that can irritate or cause ulcers resulting from prolonged contact between the target area of the body of the user and the bed or a bed sheet of the bed in which the user is confined,  
 said means for reducing pressure, friction and shear having an array of removable cells forming a flexible sheet for supporting an area of the body of the user, each cell removably coupled to at least two other cells, at least one of the cells being an interior cell that is selectably removable from the array in order to define an interior space within the sheet which approximates the size of the target area on the body of the user, and  
 said means for reducing pressure, friction and shear encloses the target area,  
 whereby, the support device forms a continuous peripheral support enclosure about a target area.  
 
     
     
       22. A support device for the care and prevention of wounds on a target area of the body of a user, comprising:
 means for reducing pressure, friction and shear that can irritate or cause ulcers resulting from prolonged contact between the target area of the body of the user and a chafing surface,  
 said means for reducing pressure, friction and shear having an array of removable cells forming a flexible sheet for supporting an area of the body of the user, each cell removably coupled to at least one other cell, at least one of the cells being an interior cell that is selectably removable from the array in order to define an interior space within the sheet which approximates the size of the target area on the body of the user, and  
 said means for reducing pressure, friction and shear encloses the target area,  
 whereby, the support device forms a continuous peripheral support enclosure about a target area.